Several weeks ago we heard from YouTuber Mary Betsy, who had some questions for us about Scientology and a family we’ve mentioned in numerous posts over the years, the Arezzinis.
Jeremy Arezzini is Executive Director of the Portland Ideal Org and his wife Hailley is also a staffer, so they first popped up here at the Bunker around the time that the Portland org was being opened in 2013. (Remember what a wild day that was?)
But Mary said she was interested in another member of the family, Adi Arezzini, who is CEO of a “wellness” company called Teami Blends.
Uh-oh. Scientology and wellness? Yeah, that’s a bad combination.
Adi Arezzini has also been identified as a condo owner in the Skyview, the new home to Tom Cruise in Clearwater at Scientology’s Flag Land Base, and we’d been meaning to check her out for some time.
But Mary’s done the hard work, and wow, this is a very nice job she’s done, not only showing the connections between Arezzini, Teami Blends, Scientology, and its front group World Institute of Scientology Enterprises (WISE), but she’s also pulled together a lot of archival footage of Scientology investigations, from Leah Remini and Mike Rinder to stuff done in the 1960s and 1970s.
With interviews and other accounts by former Teami Blends employees, Mary describes a company that is not only owned and run by Scientologists, but that shares many of its values. And, like Scientology, Teami has been able to increase its visibility through the use of celebrities — in this case, with the use of Instagram “influencers” who gush about the products.
For us, one of the most interesting connections Mary found in her look at the Arezzini family was the Portland contingent and what they’re doing there.
Adi (Halevy) Arezzini is married to Alex Arezzini, a former Portland Ideal Org staffer who announced in 2017 that he’d gone clear…
The Executive Director of the Ideal Org was Jeremy Arezzini, and we believe they are cousins brothers.
Here’s Jeremy Arezzini, from a promo we published here at the Bunker back in 2013 raising money for the Ideal Org in the San Fernando Valley…
You’ll notice the reference to being “New Civilization Builders” in Portland, which means they personally gave at least $1 million to the project.
Well, Mary found that Jeremy co-owns a coffee house in Portland called Morse Coffee Company, which is also owned by David Morse.
Yes, that David Morse, the Scientologist whose private investigations company, David Morse & Associates (DMA) became a sort of employment agency for former Scientology spies after the Snow White Program, from Duke Snider to Henning Heldt, and others.
There’s lots of good stuff here, and if you’re familiar with Scientology’s talk about the Purification Rundown, you’ll certainly recognize Teami Blends and its come-ons.
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Meanwhile, on Scientology Facebook
Changes coming to Flag!
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Did you know you can get an email every morning when we post our daily Scientology story? We know some of the folks who come to the Underground Bunker aren’t here to talk about the politics of the day, and that’s why we created a daily politics feature over at our other blog, The Lowdown, and we ask readers to take their political discussions over there. And if you drop us a line at tonyo94 AT gmail, we’ll put you on the list so you get a morning reminder that a new Scientology story has been posted — and only for our Scientology stories.
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“The nitty-gritty of the West German raid on the dollar is to be found in a proposal to form a World Central Bank that ‘adjusts all the worlds currency.’ This is about the most cold-blooded effort at world domination I’ve ever seen. A country that surrenders its currency surrenders its sovereignty. It was Nazi banking expertise that saved the Third Reich and opened the door to WW II. What we DON’T need is Nazi control of all nations. Along with that goes psychiatric control, gas chambers, obliterated ‘impure’ minority groups. Heil Hitler. For the sake of German Scientologists of which there are now many, and the rest of the world, the new Nazi resurgence must end before it winds up in another blood bath.” — L. Ron Hubbard, May 8, 1971
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“FB: The FB including CS-G did a splendid fast job on the program to beef things up in event of a hostile UK ‘Enquiry’ finding release. Some Enquiry! Never called on us to testify on anything. Its secretary, Miss Lee, was a member of Smersh! Correction: Sir Joseph is the Minister of Social Services. He has it now. When the cabinet okays it maybe it will be out.” — The Commodore, May 8, 1971
“Suggestion: don’t go into the light after death. it’s probably better to create your own if you want. talk about a mismash of flows, data, beingness and identities. Further suggestion: maintain your own identity at all times. if you want to go into the light after death, at least maintain your own beingness. maintaining a position in space is vital to power and sanity as a thetan.”
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2000: The Guardian, on watching Battlefield Earth during its run in theaters: “I felt my brain cells dying at a worryingly rapid rate while watching Battlefield Earth. Not since Forrest Gump have I seen a movie that made me feel stupider with every passing minute of screen time. If I write another word about it, I’ll start forgetting my alphabet and soon they’ll have to water me twice daily.”
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“They sent me a notice for jury duty last year and I scrawled across it ‘I am a Scientologist and we do not recognize your authority in this sector of the galaxy.’ They sent me a notice back about having to get a letter from my clergyman and to bring it down to the court. I threw that in the garbage.”
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Full Court Press: What we’re watching at the Underground Bunker
Criminal prosecutions:
— Danny Masterson charged for raping three women: Next pretrial conference May 31. Trial scheduled for August 29.
— ‘Lafayette Ronald Hubbard’ (a/k/a Justin Craig), aggravated assault, plus drug charges: Last hearing was on January 18, referred to grand jury. Additional charges also referred to grand jury after January 5 assault while in jail.
— Jay and Jeff Spina, Medicare fraud: Jay sentenced to 9 years in prison. Jeff’s sentencing to be scheduled.
— Rizza Islam and other family members, Medi-Cal fraud: Pretrial conference May 20 in Los Angeles
— David Gentile, GPB Capital, fraud: Next pretrial conference set for May 5.
— Joseph ‘Ben’ Barton, Medicare fraud: Pleaded guilty, awaiting sentencing.
— Yanti Mike Greene, Scientology private eye accused of contempt of court: Found guilty of criminal and civil contempt.
Civil litigation:
— Baxter, Baxter, and Paris v. Scientology, alleging labor trafficking: Complaint filed April 28 in Tampa federal court.
— Luis and Rocio Garcia v. Scientology: Eleventh Circuit affirmed ruling granting Scientology’s motion for arbitration. Garcias considering next move.
— Valerie Haney v. Scientology: Forced to ‘religious arbitration.’ Valerie’s motion for reconsideration denied on March 15.
— Chrissie Bixler et al. v. Scientology and Danny Masterson: Appellate court removes requirement of arbitration on January 19, case remanded back to Superior Court. Next hearing scheduled for June 29.
— Brian Statler Sr v. City of Inglewood: Third amended complaint filed, trial set for December 6.
— Author Steve Cannane defamation trial: New trial ordered after appeals court overturned prior ruling.
— Chiropractors Steve Peyroux and Brent Detelich, stem cell fraud: Lawsuit filed by the FTC and state of Georgia in August, now in discovery phase.
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THE PROSECUTION OF DANNY MASTERSON
We first broke the news of the LAPD’s investigation of Scientology celebrity Danny Masterson on rape allegations in 2017, and we’ve been covering the story every step of the way since then. At this page we’ve collected our most important links, including our four days in Los Angeles covering the preliminary hearing and its ruling, which has Danny facing trial and the potential sentence of 45 years to life in prison.
After the success of their double-Emmy-winning, three-season A&E series ‘Scientology and the Aftermath,’ Leah Remini and Mike Rinder continue the conversation on their podcast, ‘Scientology: Fair Game.’ We’ve created a landing page where you can hear all of the episodes so far.
LEAH REMINI: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE AFTERMATH
An episode-by-episode guide to Leah Remini’s three-season, double-Emmy winning series that changed everything for Scientology watching. Originally aired from 2016 to 2019 on the A&E network, and now on Netflix.
SCIENTOLOGY’S CELEBRITIES, from A to Z
Find your favorite Hubbardite celeb at this index page — or suggest someone to add to the list!
Other links: SCIENTOLOGY BLACK OPS: Tom Cruise and dirty tricks. Scientology’s Ideal Orgs, from one end of the planet to the other. Scientology’s sneaky front groups, spreading the good news about L. Ron Hubbard while pretending to benefit society. Scientology Lit: Books reviewed or excerpted in a weekly series. How many have you read?
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THE WHOLE TRACK
[ONE year ago] With lawsuit in limbo, Danny Masterson accusers still trying to serve David Miscavige
[TWO years ago] Scientology’s mystery sandwich: A ‘church’ where deception is a sacrament
[THREE years ago] New York Scientologist chiropractor pleads guilty in $80 million Medicare scam
[FOUR years ago] Witness to Dianetics: For the first time, the letters of key Hubbard ally Donald H. Rogers
[FIVE years ago] DRONE FLYOVER: Scientology’s Int Base and its hilltop camouflaged ‘Eagle’s Nest’
[SIX years ago] Giant certificates and other weirdness from Scientology in our weekly online review
[SEVEN years ago] A voice from inside the Church of Scientology: Yes, the ‘Survival Rundown’ drives you insane
[EIGHT years ago] OREGON SENATOR RON WYDEN ASKS IRS FOR SCIENTOLOGY REVIEW
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Bernie Headley (1952-2019) did not see his daughter Stephanie in his final 5,667 days.
Valerie Haney has not seen her mother Lynne in 2,658 days.
Katrina Reyes has not seen her mother Yelena in 3,163 days
Sylvia Wagner DeWall has not seen her brother Randy in 2,713 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his grandson Leo in 1,703 days.
Geoff Levin has not seen his son Collin and daughter Savannah in 1,594 days.
Christie Collbran has not seen her mother Liz King in 4,900 days.
Clarissa Adams has not seen her parents Walter and Irmin Huber in 2,769 days.
Carol Nyburg has not seen her daughter Nancy in 3,543 days.
Doug Kramer has not seen his parents Linda and Norm in 1,874 days.
Jamie Sorrentini Lugli has not seen her father Irving in 4,347 days.
Quailynn McDaniel has not seen her brother Sean in 3,663 days.
Dylan Gill has not seen his father Russell in 12,229 days.
Melissa Paris has not seen her father Jean-Francois in 8,148 days.
Valeska Paris has not seen her brother Raphael in 4,316 days.
Mirriam Francis has not seen her brother Ben in 3,896 days.
Claudio and Renata Lugli have not seen their son Flavio in 4,158 days.
Sara Goldberg has not seen her daughter Ashley in 3,194 days.
Lori Hodgson has not seen her son Jeremy and daughter Jessica in 2,909 days.
Marie Bilheimer has not seen her mother June in 2,434 days.
Julian Wain has not seen his brother Joseph or mother Susan in 789 days.
Charley Updegrove has not seen his son Toby in 1,964 days.
Joe Reaiche has not seen his daughter Alanna Masterson in 6,515 days
Derek Bloch has not seen his father Darren in 3,664 days.
Cindy Plahuta has not seen her daughter Kara in 3,984 days.
Roger Weller has not seen his daughter Alyssa in 8,839 days.
Claire Headley has not seen her mother Gen in 3,958 days.
Ramana Dienes-Browning has not seen her mother Jancis in 2,314 days.
Mike Rinder has not seen his son Benjamin and daughter Taryn in 6,617 days.
Brian Sheen has not seen his daughter Spring in 2,723 days.
Skip Young has not seen his daughters Megan and Alexis in 3,121 days.
Mary Kahn has not seen her son Sammy in 2,997 days.
Lois Reisdorf has not seen her son Craig in 2,580 days.
Phil and Willie Jones have not seen their son Mike and daughter Emily in 3,075 days.
Mary Jane Barry has not seen her daughter Samantha in 3,329 days.
Kate Bornstein has not seen her daughter Jessica in 14,438 days.
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Posted by Tony Ortega on May 8, 2022 at 07:00
E-mail tips to tonyo94 AT gmail DOT com or follow us on Twitter. We also post updates at our Facebook author page. After every new story we send out an alert to our e-mail list and our FB page.
Our new book with Paulette Cooper, Battlefield Scientology: Exposing L. Ron Hubbard’s dangerous ‘religion’ is now on sale at Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats. Our book about Paulette, The Unbreakable Miss Lovely: How the Church of Scientology tried to destroy Paulette Cooper, is on sale at Amazon in paperback, Kindle, and audiobook versions. We’ve posted photographs of Paulette and scenes from her life at a separate location. Reader Sookie put together a complete index. More information can also be found at the book’s dedicated page.
The Best of the Underground Bunker, 1995-2021 Just starting out here? We’ve picked out the most important stories we’ve covered here at the Underground Bunker (2012-2021), The Village Voice (2008-2012), New Times Los Angeles (1999-2002) and the Phoenix New Times (1995-1999)
Other links: BLOGGING DIANETICS: Reading Scientology’s founding text cover to cover | UP THE BRIDGE: Claire Headley and Bruce Hines train us as Scientologists | GETTING OUR ETHICS IN: Jefferson Hawkins explains Scientology’s system of justice | SCIENTOLOGY MYTHBUSTING: Historian Jon Atack discusses key Scientology concepts | Shelly Miscavige, 15 years gone | The Lisa McPherson story told in real time | The Cathriona White stories | The Leah Remini ‘Knowledge Reports’ | Hear audio of a Scientology excommunication | Scientology’s little day care of horrors | Whatever happened to Steve Fishman? | Felony charges for Scientology’s drug rehab scam | Why Scientology digs bomb-proof vaults in the desert | PZ Myers reads L. Ron Hubbard’s “A History of Man” | Scientology’s Master Spies | The mystery of the richest Scientologist and his wayward sons | Scientology’s shocking mistreatment of the mentally ill | The Underground Bunker’s Official Theme Song | The Underground Bunker FAQ
Watch our short videos that explain Scientology’s controversies in three minutes or less…
Check your whale level at our dedicated page for status updates, or join us at the Underground Bunker’s Facebook discussion group for more frivolity.
Our non-Scientology stories: Robert Burnham Jr., the man who inscribed the universe | Notorious alt-right inspiration Kevin MacDonald and his theories about Jewish DNA | The selling of the “Phoenix Lights” | Astronomer Harlow Shapley‘s FBI file | Sex, spies, and local TV news | Battling Babe-Hounds: Ross Jeffries v. R. Don Steele
Tony Ortega at The Daily Beast
